Statutory delegates can now participate in political parties’ congresses and conventions, the Senate revealed in a fresh amendment to the Electoral Act 2022.
Statutory delegates include councillors, local government chairmen and their vice, political party chairmen in all the 774 LGAs, state and federal lawmakers, governors and their deputies, president and vice president, political parties’ National Working Committee members, state party chairmen and secretaries.
In February, President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the Electoral Act that prevented statutory delegates from taking part in party primaries.
The senate passed the new amendment on Tuesday after considering a bill sponsored by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.
The amendment will allow statutory delegates, in addition to the delegates elected by various political parties, vote during congresses and conventions to elect candidates for various political offices.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the “unintended clause” has to be amended before commencement of party primaries.
The House of Representatives would also pass the same amendment on Wednesday before transmitting it to the president for assent.
